The Adirondack Interpretive Center at SUNY ESF’s Newcomb Campus has recently announced a lineup of winter activities such as guided snowshoeing excursions, bird walks, a winter tracking workshop, a Cross-Country Ski to Forestry Demonstration Cuts activity, and more. Please see below for details on each event. Interested parties may register for an event by clicking on the provided links.

Winter Bird Walk
Saturday January 7th, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Guest birder, Miok Salz, will start the morning identifying the winter finches visiting the AIC feeders. This will be followed by and easy snowshoe on the trails to look for more birds.
Snowshoes provided. Preregistration required – click here to register via email.

Evening Snowshoe
Saturday January 21st, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
This  guided snowshoe will focus on nighttime adaptations of animals and end by a warm fire with snacks and hot cocoa.
Snowshoes provided. Preregistration required – Click here to register via email.

Arbutus Lake Snowshoe
Sunday January 29th, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
This guided 2.5 mile snowshoe around Arbutus Lake on the Huntington Wildlife Forest will provide opportunities to look for animal tracks, listen to bird sounds, and possibly spot the otter family frequently seen on the lake!
Snowshoes provided. Preregistration required – Click here to register via email.

Winter Tracking Workshop
Sunday February 5th, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Learn the basics of track identification before heading outside to observe how animals move and how to identify the prints they leave behind in the snow. Be prepared to spend time outside. Snowshoes will be provided. Preregistration required – click here to register via email.

Luminary Lantern Snowshoe
Saturday February 11th, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
This self-guided snowshoe on the half-mile Rich Lake Trail is perfect for families and friends alike. Snowshoe among the luminary lanterns placed along the trail and enjoy the beauty of the forest at night. We’ll have a fire going at the Center with hot chocolate and warm cider to enjoy. Snowshoes will be provided.

Winter Bird Walk
Sunday February 19th, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
As part of the Great Backyard Bird Count happening February 16th-20th, we will count the birds at the AIC feeders and then snowshoe on the trails to look for more winter birds.
Snowshoes provided. Preregistration required – click here to register via email.

Seed Give-a-way and Exchange
Sunday February 26th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
It may not feel like it, but spring is right around the corner and now is a great time to plan your summer garden. Whether you have seeds or not, join interested gardeners to share gardening tips and ideas. If possible, include some information on your seeds: height, special needs and other noteworthy facts. Plenty of free seeds will be available. Hosted by Lorraine Miga, Master Gardener Volunteer with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County.

X-country Ski to Forestry Demonstration Cuts
Sunday February 26th, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
After starting with a discussion of the forest management and research that occurs at ESF’s Newcomb Campus, we will ski to the demonstration cuts to examine what different forest management applications look like in the real world.  Total ski distance ~ 5 miles on ungroomed surface. Depending on weather and ice conditions, we will ski across Rich Lake or drive to a different starting point. We recommend bringing snacks, water, and dressing appropriately for extended time spent outdoors.
Preregistration required – click here to register via email.

Adirondack Interpretive Center’s Winter Hours: 
January – May
Saturdays & Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.

For more information about the Adirondack Interpretive Center at the SUNY ESF Newcomb Campus please visit: https://www.esf.edu/aic/

Photo at top courtesy of the Adirondack Interpretive Center.